{"project": {
"benefits": "ISRU can be taken to the next level of material efficiency and independence through the Automated Regolith Laser Sintering system. The following aspects are addressed via unique characteristics of the ARLS system: Scale: the scale is limited only by the material, as there is no gantry system; Material: the building material will be drawn primarily from the regolith of the surrounding area; Energy: solar arrays will supply the ARLS mobile units with power for transportation and operation of the LENS 750 0.5kW continuous wave Nd-YAG laser; Geometry: Topology Optimization will be employed wherever possible in order to reduce the amount of time dedicated to each structure; Lifespan: not only can parts be built from scratch, existing parts can be repaired by adding thin layers where they are worn or damaged.",
"programDirectors": {"programDirector": "Therese Griebel"},
"coInvestigators": {"coInvestigator": "Benjamin Jenett"},
"responsibleProgram": "Space Technology Research Grants",
"workLocations": {"workLocation": "Massachusetts"},
"website": "https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/home/index.html",
"endDate": "Sep 2018",
"primaryTas": {"technologyAreas": [
{
"code": 12,
"name": "Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems and Manufacturing",
"id": 3250
},
{
"code": 12.4,
"name": "Manufacturing",
"id": 3260
},
{
"code": "12.4.1",
"name": "Manufacturing Processes",
"id": 3465
}
]},
"destinations": {"destination": [
"The Moon",
"Mars"
]},
"programManagers": {"programManager": "Kurt Sacksteder"},
"description": "The author proposes the development of an automated construction system for HEDS applications which will implement a game-changing material resource strategy combined with an innovative adaptation of state of the art additive manufacturing (AM) technology. In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is achieved by relying on two elements which are readily available on the Lunar and Martian surfaces- solar energy and regolith- in a process that can be applied endlessly, allowing the formation of continuous load bearing and enclosing structures, such as roads, berms, landing pads, habitats, and garages. ISRU can be taken to the next level of material efficiency and independence through the Automated Regolith Laser Sintering system. The following aspects are addressed via unique characteristics of the ARLS system: Scale: the scale is limited only by the material, as there is no gantry system Material: the building material will be drawn primarily from the regolith of the surrounding area Energy: solar arrays will supply the ARLS mobile units with power for transportation and operation of the LENS 750 0.5kW continuous wave Nd-YAG laser. Geometry: Topology Optimization will be employed wherever possible in order to reduce the amount of time dedicated to each structure. Lifespan: not only can parts be built from scratch, existing parts can be repaired by adding thin layers where they are worn or damaged. Note: To measure progress, a figure-of-merit methodology will be created and employed to gain some quantitative insight into the efficiency of using the proposed robotic technologies. Load bearing and spanning enclosures and structural systems will be fabricated by the proposed method. Prior to the visiting technologist phase, a stationary version will be executed, and numerous net-shaped parts will be materialized and tested to failure to establish baseline correlation between proposed and actual structural performance. This will demonstrate ability and follow the roadmap to mobile operation.",
"technologyMaturityCurrent": 2,
"title": "Topological Optimization and Automated Construction for Lightweight Structures",
"leadOrganization": {
"name": "Massachusetts Institute Technology",
"type": "Industry"
},
"technologyMaturityEnd": 3,
"additionalTas": "",
"principalInvestigators": {"principalInvestigator": "Neil Gershenfeld"},
"lastUpdated": "2018-01-10",
"library": "",
"technologyMaturityStart": 2,
"responsibleMissionDirectorateOrOffice": "Space Technology Mission Directorate",
"id": 91544,
"startDate": "Sep 2014",
"status": "Active"
}}